Safety Center

Meet in public, in daylight, the first time

Pick a busy dog park, a vet clinic, or a café with outdoor seating. Bring water and treats — not your wallet. Tell a friend where you'll be and when you expect to be back.

• Free dog parks are listed under Discover → Map
• Avoid private addresses for the first meeting
• If the other owner pressures you to deviate, walk away

Confirm vaccinations before contact

Vaccination status is shown on every profile that opts in. Before a meetup, ask to see the vaccination booklet — a serious owner will share it without hesitation. Skip the meetup if the answer is vague.

• Core canine: parvo, distemper, hepatitis, rabies
• Core feline: panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, rabies
• Boosters should be current — not from three years ago

Verify your account

Eligible accounts can request verification and may receive a trust badge after review. A badge reflects the checks shown by PetMate; it is not a guarantee of conduct, animal health, or legal compliance.

Report abuse

Where a Report control is available, use it for fake profiles, harassment, animal mistreatment, scam attempts, or other safety concerns. You can also contact support with the relevant profile or listing details.

Block a user

Blocked users can't see your profile, your pets, or message you. They never appear in your discover deck. Blocking is silent — the other person isn't told.

Chat is gated to mutual matches

Nobody can DM you out of the blue. Conversations only open after both sides like each other's pets. The one exception is shelters receiving adoption inquiries — clearly marked when it happens.